Faced with doubts, Bai Shuijin did not doubt himself one bit. No one knew better than him the effort he had put in and the hardships he had gritted his teeth through to stand where he was today.
He would not completely deny his dance career just because of a few words of disapproval from someone else before an exam.
He had given up dancing before, but that was because he felt the path of pursuing his dream was exhausting, making him unable to lift his head and move forward. It was never because he couldn’t dance well.
Kevin did not expect to hear such arrogant words from him.
“You are the most narcissistic person I have ever met.”
Bai Shuijin looked into his eyes. “Then you simply haven’t met enough people.”
As soon as Kevin said this, Bai Shuijin knew the other party had never met a truly narcissistic person.
There was someone else who was the true king of narcissism.
He removed Kevin’s hand that was gripping his wrist. Bai Shuijin: “There are still twelve hours until tomorrow’s exam. If I were you, I would use this time for training, instead of trying to overwhelm the opponent with psychological pressure.”
Kevin’s expression was unpleasant. “I absolutely won’t let you smile tomorrow.”
“Then you better count them.” Bai Shuijin was not one to back down. “I will definitely enter the exam room tomorrow showing all eight of my front teeth.”
Kevin: “…”
Bai Shuijin grabbed his backpack and jacket from the floor. “Anyway, I definitely won’t waste tonight. I will practice properly until dawn.”
He turned and left, not forgetting to close the door behind him.
The corner of Kevin’s mouth twitched and he cursed under his breath.
‘Are you the only one who can practice?’
‘I can practice too!’
Kevin changed into his dance shoes and began warming up in the classroom. If Bai Shuijin wasn’t wasting these twelve hours, he would also fight until dawn.
After leaving the dance classroom, Bai Shuijin did not look for another empty dance studio. Instead, he put on his jacket and went straight home.
Only a fool would practice until dawn. He was going home to sleep and conserve his energy.
Kevin was sweating profusely in the classroom, while Bai Shuijin was humming contentedly under a hot shower at home.
Kevin was panting heavily from exhaustion in the classroom, while Bai Shuijin flung off the towel wrapped around his lower body and pounced onto Wang Huanxiu, who was feigning sleep on the bed.
A precise blow to the abdomen made Wang grit his teeth. He opened his eyes and looked at the completely naked Bai Shuijin on top of him.
“Are you sure you want to sleep like this tonight?”
Bai Shuijin’s recent intense training had made every curve and line of his body as perfect as exquisite fine jade. He lay on top of the other person, used his foot to hook the quilt he had kicked down earlier, and pulled it over both of them.
Wang Huanxiu had just arrived, half an hour before he came home.
When he returned home with his backpack, he thought a thief had broken in, especially as he had lost a few coins the day before yesterday.
He wanted to see if the thief could help find them, but after taking a few steps inside, he saw Wang Huanxiu walking out of the bathroom, drying his hair.
Bai Shuijin was stunned. “Laogong-ge, why are you here?”
Wang Huanxiu said indifferently, “I haven’t had much work these past few days. So I came to see you.”
As he spoke, he subtly kicked the briefcase containing documents under the table with his foot.
Bai Shuijin had told him about the exam months ago, and Chen Ji booked the ticket early.
Bai Shuijin didn’t expect him to come.
Wang Huanxiu looked at his dumbfounded expression. “What? I’m not welcome?”
“No.” Bai Shuijin pressed closer, a smile appearing on his face. “Welcome, a warm welcome.”
“How warm?”
Bai Shuijin clapped like a seal. “Warm applause.”
Wang Huanxiu was amused by his antics. He pinched the back of Bai Shuijin’s neck, and kissed his lips a few times.
Bai Shuijin was happy that Wang Huanxiu had come. He hummed a few songs in the shower and didn’t want to be apart from him for a second after coming out.
The dormitory was arranged by the school, and the bed wasn’t as big as the one at home, barely enough for two people to sleep.
They were used to sleeping together before. When he first came abroad and slept alone, he had some insomnia. With the exam tomorrow, Wang Huanxiu’s arrival today meant he could sleep more soundly.
Bai Shuijin actually didn’t know about the last few times Wang Huanxiu had come. He just looked at him from afar and then left.
He was so happy he clung to the other person like glue.
Wang Huanxiu was getting fired up all over from his clinging, and he pressed down on Bai Shuijin’s shoulders. “Sleep.”
Bai Shuijin: I won’t.
He lay sideways on Wang Huanxiu’s upper body. “Laogong-ge, am I sexy?”
His figure was much better than before.
Wang Huanxiu opened one eye to look at Bai Shuijin thrashing around on him. “Like a freshwater fish.”
Bai Shuijin: “…”
Man, your mouth is still so poisonous.
Wang Huanxiu placed a hand on
Bai Shuijin’s waist and asked, “Since when did you like sleeping naked?”
Bai Shuijin: “I don’t like it. Just today.”
Wang Huanxiu: “You could consider it. It’s a good habit.”
Bai Shuijin felt his large hand rubbing against his skin. “Didn’t you say I was a freshwater fish?”
“What else should I say? After I say it, you’ll just tease me again, and I’ll be hard all night by myself.”
Bai Shuijin’s face turned red as he went to cover Wang Huanxiu’s mouth. “No more talking. Sleep, sleep.”
Wang Huanxiu held him tightly, his large hand constantly kneading Bai Shuijin’s arms and legs, applying pressure so the sore muscles could relax.
Bai Shuijin soon melted into a cat pancake on top of him, his face buried in the man’s neck. A familiar scent filled his nose, and his brow relaxed, his expression eased, and he fell asleep shortly after.
The next morning, Wang Huanxiu saw Bai Shuijin off to the entrance of the exam location, handing him his backpack containing his dance costume and shoes.
“I’ll still be here waiting for you. You’ll see me when you finish the exam.”
Bai Shuijin suddenly understood the feeling other examinees had during the college entrance exams when their parents accompanied them.
His ears turned red unconsciously. It felt rather wonderful and strange.
He had envied and yearned for it more than once back then. He never thought he would experience it now too.
He nodded. “Understood.”
Mr. Hilton himself was also present for the final exam. The six dancers entered the exam room. Kevin had practiced until 3 a.m. yesterday before leaving. Before the exam, he drank an energy drink to make himself look more alert.
As he had said yesterday, Bai Shuijin showed a standard eight-tooth smile, showing no signs of fatigue from practicing last night.
As before every exam, the six dancers each introduced themselves in turn.
When the number of dancers was greater than thirty, introductions weren’t possible. There were too many people; introducing them one by one would be a waste of time. Moreover, with many eliminations, no one would spend time listening to eliminated dancers introduce themselves. Only when you stood high enough would people appreciate you and want to know you.
The self-introductions soon reached Bai Shuijin. He took a step forward, leaving the line of six, his demeanor calm and without a trace of nervousness. He expressed everything he wanted to say perfectly and fluently.
“This is the beginning of my dance career. Even if I fail or am not selected, I will not be discouraged, because I am not afraid of failure.”
It wasn’t that he hadn’t failed before. It was precisely because he had failed so many times that he knew how amazing and powerful he was to have come this far and be here today.
The final exam soon began. Different from before, the results would be announced on the spot after all dancers had completed their performances.
Bai Shuijin danced gracefully in his dancing shoes. His arms circled before his chest, then spread open again like a nightingale under the moonlight, flapping its wings to fly to a higher place.
As his dance movements continued to extend, he began to calmly adjust his breathing to bring his condition to its best. Sweat slowly slid down his cheek. His eyes held light, shadow, and emotion before he finished with a sharp closing.
Bai Shuijin could hear the sound of his slightly rapid breathing in his ears. In this moment, the light fell on his face, making his eyes appear transparent and clear.
After the performance ended, he walked to the side to watch the other dancers begin their dances.
As dancer after dancer finished their performance, they faced a long two-hour wait.
For these two hours, Mr. Hilton and the dance troupe were to select the final opening performer from among the six candidates.
Time ticked by, dancers were called in one by one, and finally, it was Bai Shuijin’s turn.
He had already changed out of his dance costume and was now wearing a hoodie and jeans.
Perhaps the outcome wouldn’t be ideal, but he was prepared to accept whatever came.
Bai Shuijin said, “Thank you for your guidance during this period. This has been an unforgettable experience in my life.”
Mr. Hilton and the dance troupe judges laughed at his words. “Are you so sure it won’t be you?”
Bai Shuijin replied, “Everyone is outstanding.”
Even Kevin, who had provoked him the day before.
This wasn’t just polite talk; those who had made it this far were all top-tier dancers.
Mr. Hilton looked at him. “Have we met somewhere before?”
Mr. Hilton met many people every day, and Bai Shuijin didn’t expect him to remember him.
Bai Shuijin: “I took a photo with you backstage at last year’s international dance competition.”
Mr. Hilton finally remembered this young man. Back then, he didn’t possess such a dazzling aura.
“You’ve grown a lot compared to before.”
Bai Shuijin scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
Mr. Hilton placed a slip of paper in his palm. Their final voting method was through slips: each of the four judges wrote down the dancer most capable of performing the opening. The one with the most votes would win.
“Do you like to cry?”
Bai Shuijin shook his head. “No, I don’t.”
Mr. Hilton laughed. “Then you’ll have to hold back.”
Bai Shuijin was stunned for a moment, then opened the slip in his hand. The English script on it was written in a flamboyant style.
“Congratulations, you’ve been accepted.”
Tears instantly blurred his vision. Bai Shuijin’s fingers gripped the slip so tightly they turned white.
He raised his hand and wiped his tears with his sleeve, his lips trembling uncontrollably.
Mr. Hilton and the other judges looked at him and smiled. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t cry?”
Bai Shuijin covered his face with both hands. “It’s just my mouth being tough, just saying it.”
The room erupted in laughter.
After receiving the acceptance news, Bai Shuijin practically ran out of the audition venue and through the gates. From a distance, he could see Wang Huanxiu waiting on the street.
“Laogong-ge!”
He quickened his pace. Wang Huanxiu heard footsteps and turned around, only to be pounced upon by someone.
Seeing the red tip of his nose, Wang Huanxiu asked softly, “How did it go?”
Bai Shuijin slapped the slip onto his face and continued burying himself in his chest.
Wang Huanxiu took the slip and held it up, so it was level with the sun in his view.
That day, Wang Huanxiu’s WeChat Moments unusually updated a second time…it was the slip admitting Bai Shuijin.
Chen Ji immediately liked and commented.
[Congratulations, Mr. Bai!]
[So amazing, so amazing!]
[Sprinkle flowers, sprinkle flowers!]
[So awesome (thumbs up, thumbs up).]
Snatching the first comment was his professional ethic; the year-end bonus at the end of the year was as good as his.
After being successfully accepted, Bai Shuijin began reporting to the dance troupe every day, constantly practicing and rehearsing.
Bai Shuijin was having lunch with friends from the dance troupe at a small restaurant when he learned that Wang Muguang had been nominated for Best Actor. The TV hanging from the ceiling showed Wang Muguang’s face, and Bai Shuijin was momentarily dazed.
‘Huh?’
He hasn’t been paying much attention to the entertainment industry lately, fully focused on dancing.
His friend noticed him staring blankly. “What’s wrong, Shuijin?”
He glanced back at the TV, which was showing a clip from Wang Muguang’s movie. “Wang Muguang! Don’t you know him? He’s been really popular lately.”
You could see his ads every time you turned on the TV. More than half a year ago, the movie “Art Photo”, starring Wang Muguang, was released and achieved excellent box office results.
The film was also submitted to an international film festival.
Wang Muguang had also gained fame overseas.
Bai Shuijin: No, he knew this person all too well.
Wang Muguang’s Best Actor nomination surprised not only Bai Shuijin but also sparked an uproar online domestically.
Before, he was clearly a vase with terrible acting skills, repeatedly criticized and judged by netizens. Now, he had received a Best Actor nomination, and the qualitative leap left everyone stunned.
When did he become so outstanding?
Netizens: [I once said Wang Muguang would never have acting skills in this lifetime,and then he pulled this move on me.]
[My husband is amazing! Husband!!!]
[It’s over, this guy really made it big.]
[Water pump trucks rule the world!]
[Who did Wang Muguang sell his butt to?]
[Look at Wang Muguang’s background, who would dare buy his butt?]
[Upstairs is right, his family is loaded.]
[Look at my IP. I watched the movie. It’s releasing domestically at the end of this year. Wang Muguang really has some good skills. Everyone should go watch it.]
[About my husband disappearing for over half a year and then popping up to tell me he’s nominated for Best Actor out of nowhere.]
[The water pump truck is awesome!]
While eating, Bai Shuijin received a call from Wang Muguang.
Wang Muguang: “Did you see the news about my Best Actor nomination?”
His voice was brimming with excitement.
Bai Shuijin took a big gulp of water. “Yes, yes, I saw it.”
For a moment, Bai Shuijin didn’t know how to praise him. He didn’t expect Wang Muguang to perform so brilliantly in this movie that it became his breakthrough work.
The film festival was half a month later. Bai Shuijin specifically adjusted his rehearsal schedule for that day so he could watch Wang Muguang attend the awards ceremony.
Wang Muguang was his friend and family, and he wanted to witness every highlight moment alongside him.
When he clicked into the live stream, the Best Actress award had just been presented. The next one was the Best Actor award, for which Wang Muguang was nominated.
His friend noticed him sitting on a crate and watching intently, and he leaned over to take a look. “What are you watching?”
Bai Shuijin looked nervous, sweating for Wang Muguang. “My family member is attending the film awards today. I’m watching to see if he wins.”
His friends knew Wang Muguang was Bai Shuijin’s brother-in-law, and gradually, more people gathered around, all wanting to take a break from their busy schedules and relax.
Coincidentally, Bai Shuijin was watching an eagerly anticipated award, and most people were curious about who would take home the Best Actor trophy.
Soon, the host held up the card and said mysteriously, “Let’s look forward to tonight’s Best Actor.”
Everyone held their breath, and Bai Shuijin even forgot to breathe.
The card unfolded before the camera.
“Wang Muguang!”
Yes!!!
When the Best Actor was announced, everyone around Bai Shuijin cheered for him, happily celebrating together as if their own family member had received the honor.
For the first time, Wang Muguang seemed unable to manage his expression in front of the camera. He stood up, hugged the actors and director from the crew, and then strode onto the stage. He was dressed very handsomely today, and even though he looked no different from his usual self, the radiance of glory deepened on him.
Wang Muguang accepted the trophy and kissed it.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award. There are many people I want to thank. It might be a bit cheesy to name them one by one, but thank you to everyone who has supported me all along. This trophy is my honor, but I want to dedicate it to one person.”
Wang Muguang’s eyes shone brightly. “He is my family. His name is Bai Shuijin. Without him, I might still be that vase with poor skills and undeserving of my position. He gave me confidence. My success is inseparable from his presence.”
Bai Shuijin didn’t expect Wang Muguang to emphasize him so much in his acceptance speech, and he was flattered.
It felt like raising a child who eventually comes back to show filial piety.
So when the trophy appeared in his dormitory, Bai Shuijin looked at the golden little statuette and swallowed. “You’re really… giving it to me?”
Wang Muguang: “Otherwise?”
He was a man of his words. He had promised in front of the whole world to give it to him, was he going to go back on his word?
Then everyone would know he was a liar.
Bai Shuijin tapped the trophy. “Is it pure gold?”
Wang Muguang held it; it wasn’t very heavy. “Probably not.”
Bai Shuijin’s enthusiasm instantly vanished. “Oh.”
Wang Muguang: “…”
Because of Wang Muguang’s mention, Bai Shuijin also attracted attention from mainstream media.
After it became known that Bai Shuijin was now in Hilton’s touring dance troupe, flashbulbs and reports increased.
With more attention came widespread discussion, both positive and negative.
Mr. Hilton even teased him, “Now you’re a popular dancer, almost becoming a star.”
Bai Shuijin said with embarrassment, “Please don’t make fun of me.”
Mr. Hilton patted his shoulder. “So, have you been affected by the online public opinion?”
After receiving excessive attention, some rumors also emerged. Online, there were malicious speculations about how Bai Shuijin managed to join Hilton’s dance troupe.
Even if Bai Shuijin didn’t want to see it, he had seen some of it anyway.
Mr. Hilton told him, “Actually, when I first became famous, I was also speculated about like this. Some even said I bribed competition contestants to deliberately lose so I could stand out.”
“Now thinking back, it’s all quite amusing.”
The path to growth is inevitably paved with thorns. Bai Shuijin was an outstanding dancer. Hilton appreciated his talent and didn’t want him to be affected by online public opinion.
Bai Shuijin: “Did you ever think about giving up dance?”
Hilton: “Remember what we said when we first met? I’ve given up in my heart countless times, but each time I turned back and picked it up again. I love dancing. I started when I was little and decided to dance for a lifetime. If I ever stop dancing, it must be because I’m dead.”
Just as he had imagined, Bai Shuijin was stronger than he appeared, and the online public opinion didn’t bother him at all.
Three days before the performance, Wang Huanxiu flew over. The dormitory was only big enough for two people, so Wang Muguang and Wang Zhenzhu had dinner with them and then went to a hotel.
Because of the performance three days later, Bai Shuijin was too excited to sleep these past few days.
Waking up suddenly in the middle of the night, he pulled Wang Huanxiu up and asked him to watch him dance the opening segment.
Wang Huanxiu put on his reading glasses for reading at night and sat on the bed watching Bai Shuijin, even acting as a fan to cheer and applaud for him.
Hearing Wang Huanxiu’s cheers, Bai Shuijin burst into laughter. “No one cheers so seriously!”
Wang Huanxiu looked at his smiling face and asked, “Then how should I cheer?”
He really didn’t know.
Bai Shuijin couldn’t think of it either. After pondering, he said, “More passionate and crazy?”
Wang Huanxiu gave an example. “The ‘can’t live without you’ kind?”
Bai Shuijin: “Yes, yes, exactly like that.”
The two laughed together and lay side by side. Bai Shuijin suddenly grew curious. “Laogong-ge, when did you start liking me?”
He has always been curious about this.
Wang Huanxiu: “The day you stole my parents’ spirit tablets.”
Before that, his fondness for Bai Shuijin had been accumulating, but he had never confronted his inner feelings.
Bai Shuijin had always been an irreplaceable presence by his side. Before his arrival, his life felt like an endless winter, and he didn’t know when he would see the spring sunlight.
Then Bai Shuijin appeared.
His world became lively, with birds singing and flowers blooming.
Bai Shuijin propped up his head. “Were you mesmerized by my cool and handsome moves back then?”
Wang Huanxiu hugged him. “Mesmerized to death.”
He really was captivated back then.
Bai Shuijin leaned down and kissed his forehead. Everything now made him feel very happy. “Laogong-ge, I love you.”
Wang Huanxiu kissed him. “I love you too.”
The word “love” was hard to say, but in front of someone you truly love, it comes out naturally.
On the day of the official performance, Bai Shuijin changed into his shimmering dance costume and stood backstage with his eyes closed.
He had fantasized about his success countless times before, even dreaming of fulfilling his dreams.
Along the way, he had cowardly given up, felt discouraged and torn, but ultimately chose that initial path again.
He had endured countless hardships to get here.
Now, he was only one step away from his dream.
After being selected as the opening dancer, competition didn’t disappear. Besides him, there was a backup dancer, ready to replace him in case of any accidents and fill the vacancy in time.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly. He had survived all the winters and now stood in the bright light.
Audience members kept taking their seats. This was the first grand performance of his life. After today, people would know there was an outstanding dancer named Bai Shuijin.
He took deep breaths, his palms slightly sweaty.
Hilton looked at him like he was looking at his younger self.
All the members of the dance troupe cheered him backstage. Everyone gathered together with their hands raised high like fireworks blooming in the air.
With the music, the tour officially began.
“Go, Shuijin!”
“Bai Shuijin, give us a beautiful opening!”
“Now is the time to review the results of our hard work!”
Hilton’s voice came from behind.
“Bai Shuijin, let them see how powerful you are!”
Bai Shuijin stepped out and took the stage under the spotlight amid the cheers of his companions and the loving gaze of his beloved.
Wang Huanxiu sat in the audience, watching him.
He was so dazzling on the stage, like a star in the sky, each one unique and irreplaceable.
My love, you were never meant to be ordinary. You were born to be loved, to enjoy admiration. All the good things in the world should rush to you and should flow endlessly.
May the thorns on the path wither, and love grow with life.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
~~End Of Main Text~~
Wuuu, I always feel bittersweet when I reach the end of a novel. ( ≧Д≦)
The main text is over, let’s slowly say goodbye to Bai Shuijin and Wang Huanxiu with the 4 extra chapters.
